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Thursday, October 1, 2009

Drop The Puck!

Is it really time to start the chase for Lord Stanley's fabled mug again? It seems a short while ago that Marc Andre Fleury was robbing Nick Lidstrom and Sidney Crosby was skating around Joe Louis Arena with this trophy in tow. Can the Penguins repeat this year? Many believe they can as they think a dynasty--the first since the Oilers of the 80's and early 90's--is being created.

I say the Penguins will not repeat. In fact, I say they don't get back to the finals. While I see one young group in Crosby, Malkin, Staal, etc, etc not coming through this year, I see another team coming through to win it all. That team.....When all is said and done and it comes time for Commissioner Bettman to hand the trophy over(which is what in early August now?), I see him presenting it to the young Chicago team led by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, etc, etc. Yes, I think Chicago will have to upgrade in net as I wonder if Cristobal Huet is the guy, but when it comes right down to the final two, I will take Chicago over Philly. By the way, TSN's James Duthie is also thinking this. So yes it is true that warped minds think alike. Jeez, I hope he's not taking credit for the monkey's picks.

Don't look for a lot from Canada's teams. The Canucks will contend for the Cup again, but fall short as will the Flames. Edmonton will not make the playoffs and neither will Toronto. Montreal and Ottawa may sneak in.

Phoenix (insert city name here) will be the worst team in the league and one wonders how the operation of that squad will go as the season goes along.

6 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Mitch,

Chicago lost Khabibulan so I although I really like them I just don't see how they can do it without goaltending. Carolina is that team I never think of, and then I look at the roster and wonder "why not". They have everything you need.

I think this year I'm going with Philadelphia. Great top line with decent depth. The addition of Pronger is significant. I know you hate him, but when he played in Edmonton I finally understood why he is as great as he is. He's a difference maker. He did it in Anahiem, and now with Philly he'll be that extra they need. I mean he's in a playoff series against say Pitt or Wsh. Those SuperStars not have to account for him on the ice, and that effects their risk taking and creativity. Basically he's a poor man's Scott Stevens, and that's the dimension he will bring to lead them to the Cup.

It's hard to disagree with Chi Town. They are like Pittsburgh was a couple years back. A good young talented team that didn't have any playoff experience. Now that they've got that experience, they'll be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

Chicago? They are good, but they are not Stanley Cup good. Detroit, San Jose, Calgary and Vancouver are teams I would put ahead of Chicago. I also think Boston is taking the East, but Philly will be there.

About Me

This is mainly a Regina sports blog, but you will get information and thoughts from me on a number of topics some that aren't even sports related. You can see me on Access 7 in Regina co-hosting a local one hour sports program called Locker Talk highlighting Regina sports. You can hear me reading afternoon news and sports on 620 CKRM in Regina along with co-hosting "Sportscage" on same station from time to time. I'm also a part of Sask Roughriders broadcast on CKRM and I write feature articles for the Riders on their website Riderville.com.